Method of and apparatus for producing and burning gas in steam locomotives



Feb. 15, 1927. 1,618,136

-'F. 'N. POIGNAND METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING AND BURNING OAS IN STEAM LOCOMOTIVES Filed April 9, 1926 3- Sheets-Sheet l ATTORN EYS Feb. 15 1921'. 1,618,136

F. N.- POIGNAND METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING AND BURNINGVGAS IN STEAM LOCOMOTIVES Filed April 9, 1926 s Sheets-Sheet 2' NVENTOR ATTORNEYS I ram/s 4495b!!! Pay/wand.

-'Feb. 15,1927. 1,618,136

F. N. POIGNAND METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING AND BURNING GAS- IN- STEAM LOCOMOTIVES Filed April 9." 1926 3 Sheets-$heet s K A? i )9 INVENTOR Frana'a Wash 1t Pay/Jana.

ATTORNEYS atented Feb. 15,1927,

- ,Ui TE ran-Nels NESBI'IT new;

ASSIGNMENTS, TO SUPER. GAS COEJPOBATION'.

METEOZD or we nrrnrwrns Application filed m 9',

The main object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for the production of required units of heat in connectionwith the boiler system of alocomotive by the use of steam hydrocarbon, the apparatus convent ng the materlals lnto gases and burn ing the resultant gases ithin the locomotive firebox. l

. Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus wherein saturated or low pressure steam will be firsthighly superheated and will then receive a spray of pe troleum or other hydrocarbon, or carbonaceous materials, andthe Wholereacted into a gas at a comparatively low pressure and a very high degree of-h'eat. 1

Another object of the invention is to provide a retort. or reaction chamber formed of nickel, as pure as it is commercially possible to use it, and to deliver the steam and oil within the retort, and to react them therein in such manner as to produce, substantially, a blanket ,or layer of hydrogen around the inner Wall of the retort." The purpose of constructing the retort of pure nickel or nickel as pure it is commercialciently high to destroy the nickel will be suf-' lypossible to obtain and use it, is to provide a retort of metal l1aving a'large hydrogen absorbing capacity. .The purer the nickel the greater its hydrogen absorbing capacity. The temperatures developedin the fire-box are considerably above the melting point of nickel and if it were not for the presence of hydrogen Within the retort, and the absorption o fthe hydrogen by the nickel, the re tort would be destroyed. V

Another obfect of the invention is to construct the entire gasdiorming apparatus of nickel so that any part of the apparatus subject to a destructive temperature Will be protected by hydrogen. A temperature sufli ficiently high to disassociate the elementsof the steam introduced into the apparatus and thereby produce hydrogen in suflicient quantities to protect the nickel fromthe exterior heat. Y

Another object of the invention is to provide. a retort method of producing and burning gas containing hydrogen, by] means of which very high temperatures (above 1800 F.) may be produced around the retort without melting the metal of the retort. It wilhbt course, be understood that raw-W re we rmine GAS am ee emmvre 926: s ia n 100.8..86-

While the invention is illustrated and described as applied to and arranged Within a locomotive firebox, itlmay be equally Well" applied jand arranged Within any form of fiurnace Where it is desired to hi h de ree he I the d aw n I Fig. -1 is a lo' gitudinalyertical sectional i e spam Within t e fil Q of a locomotive;

'F' g. 2" a horizontal sectional taken on are r ts 2520f ig; 1;.

produce a very '7 "Fig. 3 a detail vertical transverse secieni i w of h r t t; l

Fig. 4 a hottom plan view of the retort; 5 adetail plan viewer the base 'on which the retort 'i'ssupported;

Fig. "5? a detail perspective view of one of h s men a s f qns of t r to p- P I Fig. 6 a vertical transverse sectional vieW on the line 6 -6 oif'Fig. 1;

of the lower header ,of the superheater;

Fig. 8 a ,detail sectional view ofone of the screw-threaded joints between the superheater tubesand the headers; and v Fig. 9a transverse sectional view of one ofthe superhea ter tubes takenon the line, 9,.9oiFigf8 Referring to thevariouspartsby'numerals, 1 designates the fire box of a steam locomotive; 2 the fire box base or pan, and'3 the usual fire tubes which lead irom the firebox. On the psi-n2 and aroundthevv alls ofthe fire box is arranged an interior-lining or all of fire b ric kfor ot-her refractory naterial. This is for"the puiipc ise ofprotectingthe n etalwvalls of the fire box. 7 The apparatus comprises a retort and burner and a superheater Brboth of which are nounted in the firebox, the super-heater being arranged between the retort and the firetubesof the boiler. Thesup erheater is formed with a lower header l and an upper header 5 'thesehea ders being connected't'ogether'by suitable, vertically extending, parallel tubes, as hereinafter describedi The lower header is formed at itsfforward'side, that is tosay the 'sidetoWa-rd the fire hues of the boiler, With an entrancechamberfi,

connect-er lo a pressure steam siipply pipe.

7 a detail plan view partlyin section ice v at the centeror which is arranged a depend g flanged inlet 7. To this flanged mlet is The header 4 at its rear side, that is say the side toward the retort, is formed with an exit or outlet chamber 8, and to this chamber isconnected anJoutlet pipe or con- .duit 9. .This conduit or pipe is connected to thecha nber 8 through the lower wall 11118113013138 shown clearly in Fig. 1. The chambers 6 and 8 are separated from each other by spaced walls 10 and 11 between which is formed an air space for cooling .purposes and to prevent the hot gases or vapors inchamber 8 directly engaging and heating the wall of the entrance chamber 6."

' uniformly spaced apart. Vertically extending superheater tubes 14 are connected to 'tlle threaded nipples 12 and 13, and the upper ends of these tubes are connected to clepending threaded nipples 15 formed on the lower wall of the upper header. Steam entering the chaniber 6 through theinlet 7 will therefore pass to the upper header, through two of the tubes 14, and from the upper header will pass down to the outlet chamber through three of the tubes. This is to pro.- vide for the expansion of the steam within the superheater and to prevent undue acceleration of the steam and undue pressure.

The superheater tubes have a short cylindrical portion'at each. end, for the threaded connections, and between said cylindrical ends the tubesare fluted or ribbed to provide the maximum heating surfaces. The ends of the tubes are each connected to a threaded nipple of aheader by'means of a threaded ring 16 which is screwed. on the end of the tube andabuts against the outer end of the nipple on the header. Screwed onthe threaded inipple is a union, or ringlike clamping nut 17, said nut being pro vided with an inwardly extending flange or portion which overlies the ring 16 and clamps it firmly against the end of the nip ple. The tubes are thereforesupported by their engagement with the rings 16, and (he 'tl'ireadedengageinent between the rings and the threaded ends of the tubes is relied upon to form steam-tight joints. These threads arecomparatively fine and the rings 16 are comparatively thick in order to give satisfactory steam-tight joints and supports for the'superheater tubes.

The superheater is supported in a depend ing hanger 1.8 secured to the under side of:

the'fire box pan 2. The lower header 4 extends through an openinglin the said pan, with the upper wall of theheader substantially on a level with said pan or slightly above it. The superheater extendsupwardly through an opening foriiiedin the fire brick floor 3" of the fire box, as sliown in Fig. 1. At the rear of the superheater is supported a vertical plate 19 of carborundum Or other .mounted on a carboruiidum base 21, said base being placed directly on the pan or base plate 2 of the the box. The retort consists of a hollow shell which is substantially circular in outline in longitudinal vertical section, as shown in Fig. 1, with the lower wall flattened to form a; substantial support. In transverse sectional view, asshown in Fig. 6, the retort is roundedat its top and bottom but flattened at its sides, the side walls being substantially straightand vertical and merging into the top and bottom walls on a curve. The side walls also merge at their endsv into the curved central part of the retort. As Shown in plan viewthe retort is slightly longer fore-anda1t,o'f the fire box than transversely thereof. I The up per wall of the retort, at the center thereof, is depressed or extended inwardly into the retort to form a depending central point or apex 22. The inner wall of this central depending portion is curved and merged smoothly into the curved inner wall of the retort, said point forming approximately an inverted cone within the retort at the upper central portion thereof. 'The flattened bottom portion of theretort is formed .with an annular series of depending flanged bosses 23. The inner and outeredges of these flanged bosses are concentr1c. The

sideedges thereof are tangentialand the adjacent sides of the bossesare spaced apart a suitable distance and are parallel with each other to form radiating gas" channels 2%. Nithin the retort is. formed a central upwardly extendingoutlet tube 25, the lower end oi the tube merging into the bottom wall of the retort substantially co-incident withthe inner ends of the flanged bossQsQ-S, as shown clearly in Fig. :1. The tube 25 extends into the retort slightly above the center thereof and is open at i i'i'ipper end. The lower end of this tube forms a large central discharge which is in direct coin-- iiiunication \rith'the gas channelsQJC. The tube is formed with inwardlyextending vertical ribs 26, and within said tube is arby means of which it is secured to the under{ This pipe also formed side of the pan 2. with a horizontal extension'29 whichis connected to'the end of the outlet pipe or coniii) ' ranged a central vertical inlet pipe 27. The i ran V nozzle being directly beloiv 10 I The inlet pipe 27 extends upwardly to .a fl ightly below' the apex 22, the r I ran 'ed concentric to said apex; that is, the apex is directlyin line with the vertical axis of the pipe. In the upper end of the inlet pipe is arranged a central vertically extending discharge nozzle 30, Said i the apex and arranged to discharge superheated steani on it. ,lhe lower end of the nozzle is' connected tol a tubular boss 31 which leads out through and to the outer side of the pipe To the rlnit 9 leading troiii the lo yer header 4.

outer end of this tabular boss is connected a pilot supply pipe T-l1lCll leads down through the outlet tube and between the i i-all of said tube and the exterior of the inlet tube 27 and into the horizontal portion 23 of the" inlet pipe, said [pipe82 entering the pipe 29 at 33. Axially. in line with the pipe 27- the portion thereof is provided with an aperture into which extends an oil ejector nozzle shown in Fig. l. The interior of the retort or e-action chamber 20 is sup erheater or. casing 38.

om of the retort.

formed with suitable j ertically arranged strengthening ribs, sa d r bs being preferably 'forined lon' the flat side Walls of the retort.- The pipe or conduit connecting the the v1 v rt ise'nclosed rvithin' a suitable box I Thebase 21 'Which supports the retort is preferably formed of carborunduni, but it niaybelformed, of any. suitable refractory niateriall- This base maybe constructed'in suitable manner. shown in the drawings it ,QQDSlSi-S Olt .a substantially fiat c rcu- 18? base of suitable thickness placed d rectly on the upper side of the pan 2., This base is formed of segmental sections which fit together'around the inlet pipe 27 as a center. The base is preterably equal in diameter to distance between the inner surfaces of the side Walls of the fire, box, as shown clearly .in. Fig. 2. Qnthesesegmental sections are formed upwardly extending bosses .Z i u'hich co-incide in outlinewith the depending flanged bosses formed on the bot- The bosses 23 of the re-- tort it squarely on the upwardly extending bosses M of the base. Between the bosses on the base are termed radially-extending gas channels 35, the inner ends of these chanels communicating directly with the open lower end of the discharge tube 25 o l the retort. As shown in Fig. 5, the divisional lines to h inl t .0 n ke P p 'terials into gas'within the retort, the

rest on the pan 2 With their inner Walls engaging the periphery. ofthe baseand their outer'walls engagingthe fire brick floor "oi"- the the box. Theu pper ends of these de fiector bricks extend a suitable distance above the fire brick floor and serve to deflect the burning gases upwardly around theretort. Through the base, outwardly troni each of theradial gas channels, are termed. air openings 39, said openings extending down through the pan of the fire box so that .air will be supplied in 'sufficient'quantities to support combustion. r

The retort and the superheater ;and all of the metal parts thereof are formed or pure nickel, that is essay of nickel as pure as it is commercially possible to obtain and ork it. The gas'produced and'burn'eel'iii this temperatures outside of the retortg as *w ill be nore fully hereinafter descri-bed.' It. is a' Well established fact thatthe maximum of transfer of heat through piire nickel is reached at approximately 1600" F. Above thatteinperature therate-ot trans'terot heat through the nickel is not increased; a g The 'operati n the apparatus is as follo\vs:' 5 A tire is started in the combustion chain ber in any suitable ordinary cotton Waste saturated with" oil and ignited. Thi primarily heats the retort and the superheater andserves to ignite the steam and oil vapors Wil'lCll'llISl) pass-through, the retort; l/Vhena teniperatur'e hasbeen reached high enough tore-act the fuel ina gas escapes from the retort andxis burned. The very high temperature necessary for the complete re-action of the" tuel niatcrials gradually reached through" the increasin temperature due to the imming vapors and finally the burning of the pure Steam is adn' 'ttodfthroug'l'i the inlet? into the inlet chamber Gotthe 1mmheader. From chamber 6 the steam passes upwardly through the tire tubes 14 connected thereto and enters the upper header 5. From the upper header 5 the steam passes"downwardly through three tubes connected thereto and enters the outlet chamber 8 of the lower.

header. rmm' said"chainber the superheated steam passes through the pipes!) and 29 "at Preferably low pressure, into the intake pipe 27 of the then downwardl throu 'h said tubeand out through the radial channels 2-1- and 35 into the space surrounded by the wall of? the deflector bricks 37. t this point thegas is ignited. 7 r I 7 Steam may be supplied to the inlet '7 from any suitable source. Exhaust steam from the locomotive is preferably used. When the locomotive is at a terininal'the steam may be taken primarily from the usual terminal steam line, and when the locomotive is idle the steam may be taken from the steam drum thereof. It l1igl1-pressure steam is used it is preferably reduced in pressure by passing it through a suitable pressurereducing valve. As the steam flows through the tubes of the superheater it becomes highly superheated by thecombustion of the gases in the fire box, butis maintained at a low pressure, due to'the necessity of prevent ing a pressure or load in excess of the tensile strength of the nickel. The retort or re-action chamber is of comparatively large capacity so that therhighly heated steam and fuel materials may be re-acted into gas without producing an undue internal pressure within it. Thetensile strength of nickel is very low and the temperatures developed in this apparatus are very high, these temperatures being well above 1800 F. The inflowing saturated steam protects the lower header and the intake tubes of the superheater; and the flow of steam through the upper header, outlet tubes of the superheater, and'through the outlet chamber of the lower header, is sufiicien-tly rapid to protect the metal,v under most operating conditions,

from the extremely high heat of the fire box.

Should the upper header of the supcrheater and the discharge tubes leading therefrom reach a temperature close to the degree of heat which would destroy the metal of the superheater, such a temperature would be sufficient to disassociate the elements of steam and free the hydrogen from the oxy-' gen. The-hydrogen will then be absorbed by the metal of the superheater and will protect the metal from the exterior heat. of the firebox. At the lower temperatures the flow of steam will protect the metal of the superheater, and at the higher temperatures, the destructive temperatures, the hydrogen will serve as a protecting means.

pipe 27 ofthe retort and picks up the oil, or,

other hydrocarbon, and carries it upwardly within the pipe. The oil is discharged into the mass of upwardly flowing superheated steam and is carried up through the inlet pipe. Pure superheated steam passes into the pilot pipe 33 and is discharged through the nozzle 30 directly on the apex 22 at the top of the retort. This pilot jet of superheated steam spreads over the inner wallof the retort and is very highly heated. The wall of the retort is at a sufficiently high temperature to break down or disassociate the elements of the steam and separate the oxygen from the hydrogen, thereby providing substantially a blanket or film of hydrogenclose to the wall of the retort. I This blanket or film of oxygen and hydrogen remains substantially free from carbon oxides and other gases within the retort and a part of the hydrogen is absorbed by the nickel wall of the retort. v a

The oil or hydrocarbon and the superheated steam passing upwardly through the inlet pipe are also diverted by the apex 22 and the curved walls connected thereto, and

"are driven around within the retort; Gas re-action begins wlthin the lnlet pipe be cause of the highly superheated steaminto which the oil is delivered. At the upper discharge end of the inlet pipe the gases and vapors contact with the highly superheated steam discharged through the nozzle. The mass of gas and vapors swirls around within the retort and the re-action is completed therein, due to the high temperature which surrounds the retort. The oxygen in the steam reacts with the carbon in the hydroios carbon thereby leaving the hydrogen of the steam nascent and a fixed gas is produced having an excess of hydrogen from a source independent of the hydrocarbon supply.

From the interior of the retort the gas passesdown through the tube 25 and out through the channels 24 and 35 and is then combusted as a pure gas, and the retort or re-action chamber is subjectto a very high tempera-j ture running well above 2000 F. The gas in its downward passage through the outlet tube-25 maintains the pilot pipe 32 and the inlet pipe 27 at a very high temperature so that the discharge from the nozzle and the inlet pipe will be very highly heated. 'Air.

in suflicient' quantities is supplied through the air openings 39.

If the temperature in the superheater is sufiiciently high the steam will b disassothe Oil and gas rc-act-ion Will begin imme dizitely withifithepipe27.

Heat taken upf by the t-@1515" i'iitroduced into the retort'gis constantly" replaced by heat tfansn'ii'tted" from the tire. bO'X V thre ig'h the Walls (if the retort.

The u per ehd'et thetube 255Whibhbn- 'stitutes the outlet frin the retort, de-

i.. i v :11 -i-i, establishing Wlthln the retort comrribtmn among and com'xhnigl ng of, the, materials 1 i,.i.., L, y delivered lnto the retort. The size ef the fretbrt is based ,upbn' the time element reqtiireirierits 6f thefrezictinsl sh'al'l meet re ect'ib'n time requirements, cohsldera'tion m st gi've'n' tqtemperature i'neteriztls used, ahd' ressure stalbl fshd. V

The 'eiitranees iiite" the retort, th pilot, nozzle tenet the pipeszt; mus be jbzilence'd in cross. sectib i' witlifth e,xits'ffreih ed with the required air .qiiarrtities' and"t lie'n' combusted ithin the tire bo'Xl" The 9f the fire box" i par s tlireugh thetvfztll 01f the retort the required the'rih'zil v'aliie's' for sustaining the re-actions. The re-actitiii's of the materials WithiIit-he rete'rt iiic'refgts the heattlierein, as; is we11 1" 1own',soithat the gas flows fr'oi'n the retort'at "a very high temperature; The size Ofthe, r'etprt and it's design treats eddies arid coiiinhixigling s fitvdrable tfo intimaeiesfl Of contact bet'tigeenf the iiiatierials' introduced, aiid eii'stlffitliCOfilpletenes's (if fe actidhs iii'v'oli ed Withd'ut undhepressure. j v The oil ejectbr'is' sbprotected'and maintained at a 10W degree of temper-ethe by watercoolin or otherwise, that: the crackpoint of the Oil is ndt' reached; sejthat when the supe heated steairg or'tjhe hydrogen and Oxygen, fldwin t h fu'gli lthe iiilet pipe 27' comes iiit'd cdhteet with the hydrocarbon, the oxygen alid' hydrogen immediately' begin tdre-ect on the cairbcri the whole volume offre-zieting (ind Yaper is sprayed over the apex 22 ahdfcpiitinu s eroundfthe Ietdrt". The oil preferably heated before it is'eje'cted intfd the inlet pipe '27,'b'utthe e ree-10f hee't is weueww' the cracking point o fthe oil. v

Any sjliitable f'or'f of su'perheater that will Withstand thehig'h temperatures or the fire box may be employed, and said silpeb heater may be arranged vertiullyer horizontally. If desired it may be forihed' of refractory material instead of metal.

The retort and the superhejztter may be formed of any metal having" the seine charecteristics, or substantially so, f nickel insteam spp'erheeterih said chamber, ajretort o1; reactio'n ehimber iii' the 'cihbiiStioh chamber, averticehy sifrfahge'cl inlet pip exiteiidin'g centr zilly' into seid retdrt, means for c'oiidi'lctirig" superheated steeiii' from the superheater to the lower iid' oi" 'sa' idl ihlet pi e, 2t fiver icallyairiiiged iozzle centrally located iriisaidjnlet pipeneer the e'pperjerid id th inlet pipe, base supp (sifting the retort, iinld gas chjajni' el's' conhle'cteid eat their {1 iii ier ends to'tlie diselmrge Qfltleti frhl ithe retort, wherebv gas generated withl iflthe re- 'tofrt will be discharged mm the eoihb 's'tibn chtmibei" aifouiid' the base therretert. I

tu's comprising a combt stion ch ajinber, a

steam super heater i11's iiidflchamber, a'jretfor't deliverihg oil iritfo the lewer end of theinlet pipe e discharge tube in the retert'fsurrounding the inlet" pipe-1 and ex telidii 'g upwardly into: the retort the lower end of said tube beingb'pen to term a gas 01it1et3at1the ba sebf th'retbiitafid stiiiiotindirig the iri'let p p t 1 1 1 9 7 W l of h 'e 't? be formed oh" its ifit'erioiiwith 2t centrally lo} cated downwardly extending 'a-pfeX o'rin- 1 verted cone, extending close to and directly over the upper discharge ended the iQzz'le nd t let p p base? j pof nglthe -rfet01 t,"'and gas chanriels' connected at their inner ends to the discharge outlet from the retort, whereby the] gets geiierate'dlwithih the retort will bev discharged into the coinbustion chamber arotmc'lthe base of the V retort;

3. tus compris'lh'g a'eombu tion chambe'ij a retort or reaction chamberihthe COIifrbU S Cl'Oh chambeiyfej vertically ferfahg'ed iiilet pipe extending centrally up; nit'o' said retcrt,

means for conducting sliperhe'ated steam to the lower end of said inlet pipe, a vertically arranged nozzle centrally located in said inlet pipe near the upper end thereoi means for delivering superheated steam to said nozzle, means for delivering oil into the lower end of the inlet pipe, a discharge tube in the retort surrounding the inlet pipe and extending upwardly into the retort the lower end of said tube being opento' iorma gas outlet at the base of theretort and surrounding the inlet pipe, the upper wall of the retort being formed on its interior witha centrallylocated downwardly extending apex or inverted cone extending close to and directly over the upper discharge ends of the nozzle-and the inlet pipe,a base supporting the retort, and gas channels connected at their inner ends to thedischarge outlet from the retort, wherebythe gas generated with in the retort will be discharged into the com- "bustion'chamber around the base of the retort.

4. A gas producing and burning apparatus comprising a combustion chamber, a retort or reaction chamber in the combustion chamber, a Vertically arranged nlet pipe extending centrally up into said retort,

means for conducting steam to the lower end of said inlet pipe, a vertically arranged nozzle centrally located in said inlet pipe near the upper end thereof, means for delivering steam to said nozzle, means for delivering oil into the lower end of'the inlet pipe, a discharge tube in the retort surrounding the inlet pipe and extending upwardly into the retort the lower end of said tube being open to form a gas outlet at the base of the retort and surrounding the inlet pipe, the upper wall of the retort being formed on its interior with a centrally located downwardly extending apex or inverted cone extending close to and directly over the upper discharge ends of the nozzle and the inlet pipe, a base supporting the retort, and gas channels connected at their inner ends to the discharge outletfrom the retort, whereby the gas generated within the retort will be discharged'into the combustion chamber around the base ofthe retort.

5. A gas producing and vburning apparatus comprising a combustion chamber, a retort or reaction chamber in the combustion chamber, a vertically arranged inlet pipe extendingcentrally up into said retort, means for conducting steam to the lower end of'said inlet pipe, a vertically arcated downwardly extending apex or invert 6. A gas producing and burning apparatus comprising a combustion chamber, a retort or reaction chamber in the combustion chamber, a Vertically arranged inlet pipe extending centrally up into said retort, means for conducting steam to the lower end of said inlet pipe, a vertically arranged nozzle centrally located in said inlet pipe near the upper end thereof, means for delivering steam to said nozzle, means for delivering hydrocarbon into the lower end of the inlet pipe, the lower end of said retort being open to form a gas outletat the base of the retort and surrounding the inlet pipe, the upper wall of the retort 7 extending close to and directly over the upper discharge ends of the nozzle and the inlet pipe, and laterally extending gas channels connected at their inner ends to the discharge outlet from the retort, whereby the gas generated within the retort will be discharged into the combustion chamber around the base of the retort.

I 7. A, gas producing and burnlngapparatus comprising a combustion chamber, a

steam superheater in said chamber, aretort orreaction chamber in the combustion chamher, a vertically arranged inlet pipe extending centrally up into said retort, means for conducting su erheated steam from the superheater to the lower end of said inlet ipe, a vertically arranged nozzle centrally located in said inlet pipe near the upper end thereof, means for delivering superheated steam to said nozzle, means for delivering oil into the lower end of the inlet pipe, a discharge tube in the retort surrounding the inlet pipe and extending upwardly into the retort the lower end of said tube being open to form a gas outlet at the base of the retort and urrounding the inlet pipe, the upper wall of the retort extending close to and directly over the upper discharge ends of the nozzle and the inlet pipe, a base supporting the retort, and gas channels connected at their inner ends to the discharge outlet from the retort, whereby the gas generated within the retort willbe discharged into the combustion chamber around the'base of the retort.

8. A gas producing and burning apparatus comprising a combustionchamber, a retort or reaction chamber in the combustion chamber, an inlet pipe extending into said retort, means for conducting steam to the inlet end of said inlet pipe, anozzle centrally rersgrse located in said inlet pipene'ar the outlet end thereof, means for delivering steam to said nozzle, means for delivering hydrocarbon into the inlet end oft-he inlet pipe, the

said retort being formed With a gas outlet surrounding the inlet pipe, one Wall of the retort being formed on its interior with an inwardly extending apex or cone extending close to and directly, inline with the discharge ends of the nozzle and the nlet plpe, and gas channels connected at their inner ends to the discharge outlet from the retort, whereby the gas generated Within the retort will be discharged int'othe combustion chamber around the retort.

9. A; gas producing and burning apparatus comprising a combustion chamber, a

'retor't or reactionchamber in the combustion-chamber, an inlet pipe extending into said retort, means for conducting steam to the inlet end of said inlet pipe, ieans for deliveringhydrocarbon into the inlet end of the inlet-pipe, the said retort being formed with a gas outlet surrounding the inlet pipe, one Wall of the retort being formed on its interior with an inwardly extendingapex or cone extending close to and directly in line withthe discharge end of the inlet pipe, means centrally located in said inlet pipe near the outlet end thereof for delivering steam on said apex, and gas channels connected at their inner ends to the discharge outlet from the retort, whereby the gas generated Within the retort will be discharged into the combustion chamber around the retort. V

10. A gas producing and burning apparatus comprising a combustion chamber, a retort or reaction chamber in the combustion chamber,means for delivering mixed steam and fuel materials within the retort close to 'one wall thereofand' means to deliver a jet of pure steam onthe interior surface of one Wall of the retort said jet'of pure steam being arranged inthe center of the volume of mixed steamand fuel materials and serving to spread a blanket or coatingofpure steam over the interior surface of the retort. V

11*. A gas producing and burning apparatus comprising-a combustion chamber, a

retort or reaction chamber in the combus- I 7 tion chamber one wall of the retort being formed on its interior with an inwardly extending apexor cone, means for delivering mixed steam and fuel materials within the retort directly and centrally on the said apex, and means to deliver a jet of pure steam directly and centrally on said apex said jet ofpure steam'being arranged in the center of the volume of mixed steam and fuel materials and serving to spread a blanket or coating of pure steam over andin' direct contact with the interior surface of the retort. r

12. A gas producing and burningapparatus comprising a combustion:chamber, a retort or reaction chamberini' the combustion chamber the ,upperwall of the retortbeing formed on its interior with an inwardly and downwardly extending apex or cone,

incansfor delivering mixedsteam. and fuel materials within the retort directlyand centrally. on thesaid apex, and means to deliver a jet of pure steamdirectly and centrally on said apex said jet of pure steam being ar-' ranged in the center ofthe volurneof mixed steam and fuel materials and'fserving to spread abl'anket orcoating of pure steam over and in direct contact with the. interior surface ofthe retort. I

11-3; A gas producing and burning apparatus comprising a combustion chamberfa retort or-rea'ction' chamber in the combustion. chamber one wall of the retort being formed onits interior with: an' inwardly extending apex or cone, means for delivering-mixed superheated steaniand'zfuel' materials within the retort directly and centrallyon the-said apex, and meansto deliver a jet of pure thereof, the lower end of said retortbeing opento form' a gas outlet at the base of' the retort and surrounding the'inlet pipe, the upper wall of. the retort being formed on its interior with a centrally located downward ly extending apex orinverted cone extending close to and directly over the upper dis. charge ends of the nozzle and the inlet pipe, and laterally extending gas" channels connected. at their inner ends to the discharge outlet from the retort.

ratuscomprising a combustion chamber, av

retortor reaction chamber in the combustion chamber, an inlet pipe extending into said retort,a nozzle centrally located in said inlet pipev near the. outlet end thereof, the said retort being formed with a gas outlet surrounding the inlet pipe, one wall of the retort beingiformed on its interior with an inwardly extending apex or cone extending close to and directly over the discharge ends of the nozzle andthe inlet pipe, and gas channels connected at their inner ends to the discharge outlet from the retort, whereby the gas generated within the retort will 15. A gas producing and burning appaf be discharged into the combustion chamber around the retort.

16. A gas producing and burning apparatus comprising a combustion chamber, a retort or reaction chamber in the combustion chamber, a vertically arranged inlet pipe extending centrally up into said retort, a vertically arranged nozzle centrally located in said inlet pipe near the upper end thereof, the'lower end of said retort being open to form a gas outlet at the base of the retort and surrounding the inlet pipe, the upper wall of the retort extending close to and directly over the upper discharge ends of the nozzle and the inlet pipe, and laterally extending gas channels connected at their inner ends to the discharge outlet from the retort, whereby the gas generated within the retort will be discharged into the combustion chamber around the base of the retort. r

17. A gas producing and burning apparatus comprising acombustion chamber; a steam superheater in said chamber; a re tort or reaction chamber in the combustion chamber; a vertically arranged inlet pipe extending centrally up into said retort; means for connecting the superheater to the lower end of said inlet pipe; a vertically arranged nozzle centrally located in said inlet pipe near the upper end thereof; means for connecting the superheater to said nozzle; means for delivering fuel materials into the lower end of the inlet pipe; a discharge tube in the retort surrounding the inlet pipe and extending upwardly into the retort, the lower end of said tube being open to form a gas outlet at the base of the retort and surrounding the inlet pipe, the upper wall of the retort being formed on its interior with a centrally located downwardly extending apex or inverted cone extending close to and directly over the upper discharge ends of the nozzle and the inlet pipe; a base supporting the retort; and gas channels con- :nected at their inner ends to the discharge outlet from the retort, whereby the gas generated within the retort will be discharged into the combustion chamber around the base of the retort.

18. A gas producing and burning apparatus comprising a combustion chamber; a steam superheater in said chamber; aretort or reaction chamber in the combustion chamber; a vertically arranged inlet pipe extending centrally up into said retort;

means for connecting the superheater to the lower end of said inlet ,pipe; a vertically arranged nozzle centrally located in saidin let pipe near the upper end thereof; means for connecting the superheater to said nozzle; means for delivering fuel material into the lower end of the inlet pipe; a discharge tube in the retort surrounding the inlet pipe and extending upwardly into the retort, the

lower end of said tube being open to form a gas outlet at the base of the retort and surrounding the inlet pipe, the upper wall of the retort extending close to and directly over tne upper discharge ends of the nozzle and the inlet pipe; a base supporting the retort; and gas channels connected at their inner ends to the discharge outlet from the retort, whereby the gas generated within the retort will be discharged into the combustion chamber around the base of the re tort. i

l9. A retort for a gas producing and burning apparatus, comprising a reaction chamber, a vertically arranged inlet pipe extending centrally up into said chambenand a vertically arranged nozzle centrally located in said inlet pipe near the upperend thereof, the lower end of said retortbeing open to form a gas outlet at the base of the retort and surrounding the inlet pipe, the

upper wall of the retort being formed on its interior with a centrallylocated downwardly extending apex or inverted cone extending close to and directly overthe upper discharge ends of the nozzle and the inlet pipe.

20. A retort for a gas-producing and burning apparatus, comprising a reaction chamber; a vertically arranged inlet pipe extending centrally up into said chamber; a vertically arranged nozzle centrally located in saidinlet pipe near the upper end thereof; and a discharge tube in the retort surrounding the inlet pipe and extending upwardly into the chamber, the lower end of said discharge tube being open to form a gas outlet at the base of the retort and surroundingthe inlet pipe, the upper wall of the retort extending close to and directly over the upper discharge ends of the nozzle and the inlet pipe. 7

21. A retort for a gas-producing and burning apparatus comprising a reaction chamber, a verticallyarranged inlet pipe extending centrally up into said chamber; a vertically arranged nozzle centrally located in said inlet pipe near the upperend thereof; and a discharge tube in the retort surrounding the inlet pipe and extending upwardly into the retort, the lower end of said discharge tube. being open to form a gas out let at the base of the retort and surrounding the inlet pipe,the upper wall of the retort being formed on its interior with a centrally located.downwardly extending apex or inverted cone extending close toand directly over the upper discharge ends of the nozzle and the inlet pipe. i

22. That improvement in the art of gencrating heat from petroleum in a combustion chamber with a nickel retort in said chamber and having an outlet into said chamber, consisting in commingling petroleum and superheated steam in the retort, heating said retort from the exterior to a degree above the melting point of nickel and sufficient to cause the oxygen in the steam to react with the carbon in the hydrocarbon thereby leaving thehydrogen of the steam nascent,and igniting the gases outside the retort. f

28. 'That improvement in the art of gene erating heat by combusting fuel in a combustion chamber with a nickel retort in said chamber and having anoutlet into said chamber, consisting in maintaining a supply of fuel and superheated .steam to said retort at low-pressure but of suflicient high temperature to cause the oxygen in the steam to react with the carbon in the hydrocarbon thereby leaving the hydrogen of the steam nascent, maintaininga supply of air to the fire-box, and burning the commingled air and reaction products in the fire-box.

QL'That improvement-in the art of gen crating heat from non-gaseous hydrocarbons in a combustion chamber with a retort therein having walls formed of hydrogen 7 absorbing metal, which consists in passlng non-gaseous hydrocarbon through the reaction chamber, maintaining a temperature in said chamber Well above 1800 degrees F. to convert the. hydrocarbon into gases While a Within the'chamber, maintaining an excess of hydrogen in the chamber over that contained in the hydrocarbon supplied thereto to assist'in the reaction of the hydrocarbon into gases and prevent destruction of the chamber Walls, and burning the reaction products in the combustion chamber outside of the reaction chamber. I

25.7T'hat improvement in the art of coilverting petroleum into fuel gases in a combustion chamber with a nickel retort insaiq chamber and having an outlet into said chamber, consisting in maintaining a low pressure supply of commingled petroleum and highly superheated steam products to V the retort, maintaining a separate'low presmixed steam and petroleum into the retort at low pressure, supplying highly superheatedsteam products at low pressureseparately to said retort to produce a fixed gas having an excess of hydrogen, burning the reaction products issuing from said retort in immediate proximity to the retort, and so co-relating the supply of petroleum and steam products with the retort capacity as to generate and maintain a temperature in the combustion zone around the retort above the melting point of nickel.

In testimony whereof I hereuntoatfix my signature. 7

. FRANCIS NESBITT POIGNAND. 

